How to: Replace steering rack (Ford Mondeo Mk3)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Removing and installing the steering gear on my Ford Mondeo (2002). Generally applicable to all FWD vehicles especially Fords. Including lowering the rear half of the front subframe.
In this job I also swapped over the track rods and did a power steering fluid flush. These are elaborated on in their own videos:
Video on how to check the track rods: • How to: Check track ro...
Video on changing the outer tie rod ends: • How to: Replace outer ...
Video on changing the inner tie rods: • How to: Replace inner ...
Video on power steering flush: • How to: Ford power ste...
Video on greasing the compensator shaft: • How to: Fix creaks & k...
Ford steering playlist: • Ford steering
You will need:
Replacement steering gear, new or reconditioned
If swapping tie rods, tool to suit. Amazon ~ US: amzn.to/373YWrz | UK: amzn.to/3vUlRxJ
Spanner or crowfoot attachment for bar to suit track rod lock-nut (24 mm shown). An adjustable spanner may turn a nut that's not tight
Adjustable spanner or vise-grips (locking pliers) to hold tie rod while turning lock-nut
Socket and spanner to suit stud nut (15 mm shown)
Hex key to suit stud (5 mm shown)
1/2" breaker bar with a 12" or 18" extension & various good quality sockets up to 21 mm hex
Ratchet handle (convenient)
Hammer
Torque wrenches small & large (important) to suit ranges ~20 Nm and ~140 Nm respectively. The 1/2" wrench in the video ~ Amazon US: amzn.to/2g1zGoJ | UK: amzn.to/2gJ7sAg
Thread locker
Axle stands, jack, and secondary mechanical jack to support subframe
Beam (e.g. 2x4 wood) to support subframe
Male torx drive bits and adaptors for ratchets and wrenches
Oil drain pan
Replacement power steering fluid. Originally to Ford specification M2C195-A (old)...
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2RSCeWB
...superseded by M2C204-A2 (new)...
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2QsyVsr
Or, follow the Ford TSB (07-1-7) and use Mercon V...
Amazon US: amzn.to/2Bre2U8 | UK: amzn.to/2SeBoni
** Warning! Some fluid product listings online are listing Ford spec M2C938-A as a replacement for M2C195-A. That is Mercon LV ATF and I'm fairly sure it's an error.
(Using the above Amazon links helps support my channel and is appreciated!)
Great video , you provide valuable information for Mondeo owners. thanks
Fair play to you, Craig, for doing this job yourself. If this were me, I'd probably just give up and get ripped off by a mechanic lol
Not gonna lie but you are a God of Mondeo. You are making far better videos than auto doc. Cheers Mate
i had this on my rack years ago, when parts were plentiful and i knew plenty of people who cold operate spanners who managed it with relative ease in their fully comprehensive workshops
trying to do the same thing on my driveway is daunting
always fully detailed videos which you rarely get you have helped me do repairs over the years THANKS CRAIG KEEP IT UP ITS APPRECIATED BUDDY
Good Video Craig, i remember when i was doing mine on my mk3 ST220 what a pain of a job but can be done at home. covered it on my own channel. Nice work
Great video lots of detail.
Great video! Perfectly detailed
Excellent video! What impressive attention to detail, very erudite too. May it stay this way for long in your life. Best regards.
incredible! you'r the man.
I subscribed at the little bastard comment! 😄
brilliant video
Got Job man ! Great video !
Lol
14:15 bastard that’s what I’m
Thinking that’s made my day I’m
Doing mine tomorrow on transit connect looks the same mines leaking from pion
So I’ve got a second hand one
Just an advice from my experience... Always use impact when loosening the subframe bolts. Impact won't rip the catch nut inside the frame out, when the bolt is seized in. Constant excessive torque will do. It did on mine car... I will now never use breakerbar on these.. Cutting the frame and welding them back on ain't some funny stuff to do..
I love the posh voice.
I would like to point out that you really should replace those orings. They tend to shrink over time and leak as a result of that.
Last year I did my Fiesta's rack and those orings were dirt cheap from the dealer (6 euros) so it makes no sense not to replace them.
So if you're considering doing the job: buy new orings.
ty!
You are meant to take all the weight off the rear subframe bolts with a jack before undoing them, failing to do that is what causes the vast amount of people to spin the captive nut inside the body.
Yes definitely don't lower it by undoing the bolts.
@@CraigsDIY Not sure you understand what I mean, in this video you cracked the rear subframe bolts with no support before you put a jack under the subframe, you should never do this and a jack should be placed under them and raised to the point where its taking all the weight before cracking the bolts, failure to do this risks tearing the captive nut from its mounting.
Hi Craig just a quick question, do you do a vid on how to change the front anti roll bar bushes?
remember RIGHTY TIGHTY first when you're expecting it be really tight
Hi, I watch your videos, a lot of useful information. I drive a Mondeo MK3 1.8 Duratec, the problem is that when the engine is warmed up, it starts the second time. double start problem, many mondeos have this problem, do you know how to fix it?
👍👍👍
Great video, do you know if there should be play in flexible coupling or should it be solid?
No play but it is per the name a little flexible. If you have actual play (lash) in the coupling then something is wrong and dangerous.
hi mate, cheers for the video, solid job that. Wanted to ask you if you had any power steering before replacement? Got mondeo tdci and no power steering whatsoever had pump changed but still same thing
Yes I just had movement in the rack. You have no power assist but steering still ok? You will have to check pressure in the lines, either blockage or serious failure in the rack.
@@CraigsDIY pressure on the return is great so I doubt it's a blockage. I think the rack is doo doo now
Just curious - did you have the notch/clunk when turning the steering left/right from dead centre which would generally ease once the car had been running a while?
And if so, did this resolve the issue?
I didn't personally but I know what you mean, common complaint on the Mondeo. A proper central 'notch' will be the rack I'm afraid. The steering wheel compensator shaft can also give you problems so it's worth regreasing it, esp. if never done. (See video linked in desc). When you disconnect from the rack you can also test it as it's isolated. If it seems to be the rack, before ordering in a new one, also want to jack front up and disconnect tie rods to eliminate possible suspension issues and totally isolate the rack - if you can still feel it then you've got the right video. GL
Thanks for the reply Craig. Your videos on the Mondeo have been a big help during my ownership of it.
When you buy so many tools, why not buy a decent battery impact wrench eg from Ingersoll Rand? No fiddling with pipes and ratchets.
They look nice in TH-cam videos don't they? In practice very hard to use on many (most!) bolts on a car. The hard ones in this job are the rack bolts themselves, because of lack of access.
Hello is this Generation of Mondeo nade in USA I have seen that they have been built in Belgium, Vietman and China. Greetings we had from 2004 we have sold it, and we had a problem when the car was cold grinding sound of steering from lock to lock. Greetings from Bosnia.
The Mk3 was not made nor available in the US. My car is ex-Belgium.
Hello, I am an Amazon seller.
We have a digital torque wrench that is perfect for your channel, would you be interested in shooting a test video for us?